Conjoined Twins, Who’ve Only Seen Each Other Through A Mirror, Turn 18 And Defy All Medical Odds

Amy is the Director of Trending Content at LittleThings. After graduating from Florida State University with a creative writing degree, she moved straight to New York City to pursue a career in the arts. She loves discovering and sharing viral videos, watching movies with her Muppet-like poodle mix named Cali, and doing the robot whenever possible.

Twin sisters Neev and Nelly Kolestein were born conjoined at the head — yet their mother didn’t find out about their life-threatening condition until she was actually in labor with them.

Advertisement

Doctors were convinced the twins would die shortly after they were born. And even if they did survive, doctors were certain the twins would experience a very poor quality of life before passing away by the age of 10.

Neev and Nelly Kolestein are known as craniopagus twins, the rarest type, making up just 2% to 6% of conjoined twins across the world.

Because of the crucial main artery they share in the head, the sisters cannot ever be separated … but they do have their own individual brains and bodies.

Advertisement

Years passed, and lo and behold, Neev and Nelly began to thrive against all odds. Medical experts continue to be stunned by their story.

Sure, Neev and Nelly have been the victims of bullying and torment, unfortunately. And they’ve only ever seen each other’s faces through their reflections in the mirror. But they insist they’d never want to undergo separation surgery even if they could; their bond is simply far too strong.

The twins, now 18 years old, live in Amsterdam. In the clip below, meet these amazing medical phenomenons who are inspiring others to break through their own limitations and expectations.